Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has revealed that Finn Maginness is in the "mix" to return for Saturday's clash with Collingwood on Saturday at the MCG.
Maginness has previously done effective roles on both Nick and Josh Daicos, curbing the brothers' influence on multiple contests over the past few seasons.
Mitchell - who is a big fan of the 23-year-old - admitted he has struggled to find a spot in the senior side for the midfielder, amid the form of Jai Newcombe, Will Day, James Worpel and Josh Ward.
Maginness hasn't been sighted since Round 9 against St Kilda, putting together strong form in the VFL, averaging 28 disposals, 4.6 tackles and 5.7 marks.
"Finn is in the mix," Mitchell said on Thursday.
"If we weren't going so well, we would've found a way to get Finn in but because we've been playing some pretty good footy and been pretty consistent, we haven't been able to fit him in the side just yet.
"He is one of those guys that I'd love to be able to get in... obviously with his history with Nick, he played on Josh earlier in the year as well, that we know he's a player I'd love to see out there.
"We've got a couple of tests today so we'll see how we go at match committee this afternoon."
One of those "tests" is Collingwood premiership player Jack Ginnivan, who famously departed the AIA Centre after securing the club's 16th flag in September last year.
Ginnivan has relished his fresh start at the Hawks, a club he grew up supporting, averaging 16 possessions and just over a goal a game in 2024.
The 21-year-old pulled up sore in the Round 16 win against West Coast with scans confirming a hairline fracture in his fibula.
However, Mitchell believes Ginnivan is within a chance to return against his former club, pending he gets through the week's main training session.
"He's a competitor," Mitchell continued.
"Obviously there's the added media interest that he has to play because it's Collingwood but he'd be desperate to play regardless of who it is.
"He's a really important player for us and we've missed him in the last couple of weeks.
"But we're optimistic but he needs to get through (training today)."
Saturday's elimination-final feel clash has repercussions that could see the loser fighting a losing battle for a spot in the eight.
Both clubs sit with 36 premiership points and a game outside the eight, making the clash more significant than most.
"We've been playing in a few of these games," Mitchell said.
"These games are huge for us. It's 12 versus 13th, which doesn't sound as good when you say it like that but if you look at the ladder and how close it is, we know this is a massive game.
"When you start building a group and start thinking about getting games into players, you got a future plan for what you want players to be, big games is a part of it.
"You need to be able to perform in big games and not every game is built the same, but this game is worth more than one.
"There's going to be a big crowd... we know this is going to be a great development for us but more importantly a great performance chance against mostly a team of premiership players.
"We're looking forward to it."
